The Griswolds have planned all year for a great summer vacation. From their suburban Chicago home, across America, to the wonders of the Walley World fun park in Southern California, every step of the way has been carefully plotted.

Except for a few hysterical exceptions.

National Lampoon’s Vacation is 26 years old and still a goofy comedy classic thanks to a great cast and an exceptional group of comedy writers and great directing.

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The time period provides to some of the best 80s costumes. The 80’s were when times were simple, and big hair was in. It was the decade that dared to wear Day-Glo wardrobes, and danced to Flashdance and Footloose.

This was a decade driven by music such as Madonna, Wham and Prince. The decade that brought the first wave of Glam metal (big hair bands) into the mainstream with bands like: Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, and Quiet Riot. When movies like Top Gun, An Officer and a Gentleman, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Breakfast Club and Say Anything became every teen’s rite of passage.

So much happened during the 80’s, that it makes throwing different types of 80 costumes theme parties very easy. A popular 80’s theme is a Madonna or Prince party. Both of these icons had so many different looks, that it will give your guest with plenty to choose from.

For a Madonna party, your female guest can pick a Madonna look from any her albums or videos. Your male guest can choose from one of her many companions: Guy Ritchie, Vanilla Ice or Sean Penn. The same holds true for Prince, but in the reverse. Your male guest can dress like Prince, while your female guest can dress like one of his female companions.

Another popular eighties music is “Films of the 80’s.” Selecting this theme is great, because there are so many great films that came out during this decade. Selecting different 80 costumes will be easy for your guest.

They can choose characters from such movies as: Top Gun, An Officer and a Gentleman, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Breakfast Club and Say Anything. Who would not want to dress up like Tom Cruise or Molly Ringwald.

Another common theme is the 80’s aerobics party. Organized aerobics became the rage on the 80’s. This was enhanced by the popularity of Richard Simmons, and music videos by Olivia Newton John. However, the aerobic outfits they would wear have made for some really great 80 costumes. Just think leotard, tights, leg warmers and terrycloth headband.

The typical 80’s party is simplest theme party. It is a come as you where in the 80’s party. Finding 80 costumes for this party is very simple. For some it probably, just a matter of pulling certain clothes out of your closet. Some of the favorites are: the glam girl, the groupie, video superstar, rock star or old school rapper. Any of these will work. Keep in mind, the further out there you go, the more comments you will receive.

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Cheech must deal with losing his job, his angry neighbor, and trying to score with sexy Donna. Along the way they meet everyone from Pee Wee Herman to really cool aliens.

Meanwhile, Chong meets Cheech’s cousin Red and the two have a wild time in Hollywood with a big bag of buds and a cool Ferrari.

The Cast Features Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Evelyn Guerrero, Edie McClurg, and Paul Reubens

Courtesy of Universal City Studios, Inc. and Hulu.Com 1980

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One of the hairstyles that women coveted in the 80s was called “big hair” or “skyhigh hair.” This involved teasing your entire head of hair so that it became about three times its actual size, but the biggest part of your hair was definitely the bangs.

You were to curl them, tease them, and then cover them with enough hairspray that when flattened, they would spring back to attention immediately. Some would say that the Aqua net used to hold this hair in place is a big reason our ozone layer is in trouble.

Another 80s fashion look for hair was the side ponytail. Mallrats and celebrities made this hairstyle popular and what made it even better was not only if you had your hair in the side ponytail, but if you added extra fun to it by crimping it (making it look wavy) or by adding the huge bangs along with the side ponytail. Pop icons like Debbie Gibson and Tiffany wore their hair this way which made it popular among all women in the 80s.

When it comes to clothing, some of the 80s fashion included colors with the main colors being anything neon. The brighter, the better was a theme because along with neon, primary colors were very popular. A look that was a craze for a few years was finding two very bright colors and then mixing and matching them throughout your outfit.

For instance, you could pair orange and turquoise and then you’d wear two shirts, one of each color, but roll up the sleeves so that the outside of the sleeve was a different color than the shirt you were wearing on top. Then you’d wear socks of both colors and scrunch them down so that on one side, you’d have turquoise on top of orange and on the other side, orange on top of turquoise. That was high 80s fashion.

Another big 80s fashion must have was accessories. Jelly bracelets, slap bracelets, swatch watches, and lacy gloves were all very popular thanks to icons like Madonna. Also, for your hair, banana clips, big bows, and scrunchies were all popular. The basic idea for 80s fashion was the louder your fashion is, the better.

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Who’s the Boss is a TV show about Tony Micelli, a former major-league baseball player, played by Tony Danza and his daughter Samantha, played my Alyssa Milano.

The two arrive at the Connecticut household of executive Angela Bower, where Tony has taken a job as live-in housekeeper. the housekeeper, Angela Bauer, the career-woman, their kids Samantha and Jonathon, and Mona, Angela’s man-crazy mother.

Angela is uptight and obsessed with her work. Her son Jonathan is shy and lacks self-esteem, and her mother, Mona, is a man-hungry vixen. Tony soon wins them over with his laid back style, and the Bowers soon begin to loosen up. Over time, romantic tensions begin to surface between Angela and Tony, and we see the children grow up.

Tony is a funny and loveable father and man, with good-looking Italian looks, who tries to be the best possible for his daughter and everybody else.

Angela is a successful and upper-class businesswoman, who tries to be there for her son Jonathan, whenever possible; and who has a hot temper….

Enjoy the first season of this entertaining 80s tv show from the heart of the 80s decade, 1984 and 1985.

Cast/Crew: Tony Danza, Katherine Helmond, Judith Light, Alyssa Milano, and Danny Pintauro

The adage that father knows best is taken to task in this hilarious comedy series that launched network ratings into the stratosphere.

Tony Micelli is a former professional baseball player, who along with his pre-teen daugher, moves into advertising executive Angela Bower’s house to be both housekeeper and father figure to Angela’s young son. But chemistry and camaraderie collide between Tony and Angela - accentuated by a barrage of unforgettable one-liners - hurled by Angela’s eccentric mom.

Tony Danza, Judith Light, Katherine Helmond, Alyssa Milano and Danny Pintauro comprise one of the most formidable comedy ensembles of all time.

Alyssa Milano, All Grown Up and one of Maxim’s 100 Hottest Women

Alyssa Milano Image

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We will miss them both very much, but thankfully both women left us a wonderful show to watch over and over again.

Sorry, but we could not find any full episodes of The Golden Girls, Maude, or even All in the Family. That just goes to what classic TV shows they are.

Meet the Golden Girls in Lifetime’s Golden Girls Special (June 2003).

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These guys would have become the Bill Gates or Steve jobs of our day. Maybe they would get the girl. They’d have the money and the power.

Stair-diving?

“Times are changing Betty. These nerds are a threat to our way of life.”

College freshmen Skolnick and Gilbert form their own fraternity for computer-whiz misfits. In this college campus comedy, a group of nerds must overcome the scornful attitudes and derisive pranks of the football and fraternity groups.

Cast -

Curtis Armstrong

Timothy Busfield

Robert Carradine

Bernie Casey

Andrew Cassese

Anthony Edwards

Larry B. Scott

Julie Montgomery

Matt Salinger

Ted McGinley

Michelle Meyrink

John Goodman

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“Charles in Charge” had a pretty good premise for a show. And, as always, watching these great 80s television shows now, it’s a real treat to see many of today’s big stars making appearances before anybody even knew who they were.

Enjoy this latest edition to the many 80s television shows available on Hulu.Com

Scott Baio stars as Charles, a nineteen-year-old college student who, in exchange for room and board, serves as a live-in nanny to three energetic children. Helping Charles through his more trying moments is his irreverent friend Buddy Lembeck (Willie Aames).

A classic family comedy, “Charles in Charge” remains a popular series for all audiences as well as a cultural touchstone for a generation of fans who wanted nothing more than for Scott Baio to be in charge of their days and their nights.

Pilot
Charles in Charge
Charles’ attempt to impress the campus beauty goes awry.

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With a new album and a long career, U2 remains one of the biggest selling acts from the 1980s.

U2 has always been outspoken, but has remained forever true to their 80s roots.

For sure, the tour to promote the new album will again break records. Unfortunately, one of those records will likely be the price of a ticket to the show.

Anyway, enjoy this clip of U2’s special Top Ten List. You’ll also find several clips at CBS.Com of live performances of songs from their latest album.

Video Courtesy of CBS.Com, where you can also watch full episodes of 80s classic TV shows like Family Ties and The Love Boat.

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Patty Greene, the geeky brainiac from Square Pegs fame, now married to Matthew Broderick, and now 43.

You’ll find several of you favorite stars appeared on this show in their ealy days, such as Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Murray. It’s a hoot to try and find the faces of these stars in their younger days.

Square Pegs 1982-1983
Two misfit teenage girls try to find their place in a typical suburban high school.

Enjoy all the episodes, starting with the Pilot -

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Mr T is so gay in this video!

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On Wednesday February 11th, 2009 Conan O’Brien picks apples with Mr. T. Mr. T talks about the A-Team.

Funny Stuff! Picking apples and carving pumpkins and singin’ with an 80s Icon.

Thanks NBC and Hulu!

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This was four days of live music and entertainment from all those acts we saw on MTV (back when they used to play music videos).

There were very few artists who did not play at The US Festival.

From Van Halen to the Scorpions, to The Clash and Missing Persons, there were more than 100 bands and musicians at The US Festival.

Well, I did not get to go, and would love to hear some stories for anyone who did.

Is this available on DVD? If it is I would sure buy it for my collection.

Here are a few highlights from 1983’s US Festival in San Bernadino, California.

Maybe there will be a resurgence of the kind of music festivals of the past, like LiveAid and The US Festival. One can only hope!

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In 21st Century Speak, Peter Griffin lingo

This is Frickin’ Sweet!

Just about every episode of Family Guy makes fun of the 80s.

This one is not only no exception, but from the Bryan Adams Rip-Off, and the Men Without Hats dance at the party, to the appearance by Megatron from The Transformers, this one is fully funny and an excellent example of what makes the 80s such good material for comedy!

Video made available courtesy of Fox Television (another product of the 80s) and Hulu.

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From Band-Aid - Do They Know it’s Christmas to We are the World, it was a year that stood the 80s on it’s head.

the 80s was all about money, fashion and fame! but, Live-Aid was all about giving and caring for your fellow man.

This is the first time I have seen Live-Aid in a few years, and it always has an impact on me.

Freddy Mercury gave one of the finest performances of his career. Awe, heck, everybody was there. I can’t think of any of the top performers who did not play on one continent or the other.

So, thank you Bob Geldoff, and all the other acts and people involved with the event. It’s impact will last for centuries. I would be proud to have future generations studying the 20th century, to learn about, or at least, be able to enjoy and appreciate this event.

I highly recommend the DVD for yourself or as a gift for an 80s kid or for your own kids. And, the proceeds from the DVD sales tstill go to help starving children in Africa and around the world, which is still something that is essential to the future of all of us.

Thank You, and try not to get too emotional when you see this great concert once again!



Please tell us about your experience…we especially would like to hear from you if you were there live, either in London or Philadelphia.

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I remember plying Galaga and Pacman at the local arcade, listening this song.

Oh, the good times…

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It’s an 80s movie that is unforgettable. One of 1985’s Best Movies.

Stallone’s new menace in the ring is a 261-pound Russian fighting machine (Dolph Lundgren), and now, Rocky must defend his title and America’s honor.

There were many lighter movies in 1985, including the first in The Back to the Future Trilogy, Romancing the Stone, Splash and Footloose. Maybe that is one of the reasons this Rocky is often considered the best, and last real Rocky Movie.

The cold war symbolism from those years, the music and the 80s clothes, all make this a good example of a great 80s movie.

Thanks Hulu for another excellent movie from the 80s.

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Enjoy this enticing mixture of comedy, romance, and the erotic!

Phoebe Cates was the star of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Sean Penn, who? She stole she show.

A little Stray Cut Strut from The Stray Cats. Porky’s meets Police Academy. This movie has a very limited target demographic-high school students in the early 80’s, which I was.

Lots of gratuitous nudity and trite humor, which isn’t all bad if you’re looking for something to numb your brain for a little by drawing blood away from your head and into your pants.

Phoebe Cates is definitely cute but personally I think Betsy Russell is hot, although I’m pretty sure it was the other way around when I was in high school.

Similar to the movie Porky’s, it does not share the same notoriety as Porky’s.

The is an excellent representation of a crude 80’s movie. This is definately not Sixteen Candles or Pretty in Pink.

No John Hughes, teen loses himself, then finds himself again formula here.

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